Top 5 Wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday – Most Disappointing Reads of 2018

Welcome to another Top 5 Wednesday. I’m glad that this title is the topic for today, because I haven’t really talked about my most disappointing reads from last year. So while we keep that in mind, these are just my opinions. I know a lot of people like some of these books I’m about to mention, so don’t feel offended if you see a favorite that you like. Everyone has a right to their own likes and dislikes. So with that said, let’s get in to the books.

5. Ghosted by Rosie Walsch
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I was really excited about this book because of the concept of being ghosted by someone you had fallen in love with, but honestly, this book was just so dry and the main character was beyond annoying.

4. The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr
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I remember that this book was so largely pushed on Booktube when it came out, but when I finally got to read this, man was I underwhelmed. Even with the undertones of mental health, I was so let down by the fact that everything was a farce and poor Flora had horrible parents and just, ugh, everything about this.

3. Dating Disasters of Emma Nash by Chloe Seager
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Another cute book that just didn’t hit the mark for me. I was excited about seeing a girl going through the after affects of a relationship and having a bunch of blunders along the way but it just didn’t live up to what I thought it would be.

2. We Are The Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
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My biggest question, did I read the same book as everyone else? The main character is soooooo whiney, I can’t stand him. All the back and forth about pushing the button drove me insane. I speed read the last quarter of this book at least.

1. Strange The Dreamer by Laini Taylor
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Biggest disappointment of the year. Honestly, I don’t get they hype from everyone because this book felt like a trash fire the entire time. It takes forever for the story line to go anywhere, and then when it does, everything happens and then it’s done. Plus, am I the only that remembers that the main female is like 15/16 years old and the main male is in his 20s??? Yet no one seems to mention that their relationship is inappropriate, not once have I seen that anywhere. I could go on and on with my issues with this, but I won’t because I don’t need to offend any more of my readers.

What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

We made it to the start of another week. How was everyone’s weekend! I had a very lazy weekend that honestly didn’t get enough reading done. But today is the start of a new week which means more reading! I have a lot to read, so hopefully this will all happen! Let’s get in to the books

What did you read last?

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Why yes, I finally finished the To All The Boys trilogy. While I’m happy that I can say I’ve finished a series, I feel like finishing it made no change to how I felt after the second book. This book follows Lara in literally the last couple months of senior year of high school. I thought it was going to at least give us some look of her life at college, but we didn’t really get any of that. Plus the drama that is brought up in this just seems to be done to make there be something going on. It was nice getting to see the other characters again, but this book was just bland to me, and I honestly couldn’t wait until I was done with it. Definitely sad about it.

What Are You Currently Reading?

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Speaking of finishing series. I decided to pick up Wildcard today. Yes, I actually have physically started to read this one. I’m super excited to see what happens, since I just reread Warcross not too long ago. There are so many questions that were left after the first book, and I need answers. So hopefully I will be able to get those answers. I also am excited because there is going to be a character introduced called Park Jimin, and Marie Lu herself confirmed that he was created in BTS Jimin’s image, and I love me some BTS so I can’t wait to see him in this book!

What Do You Plan On Reading Next?

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I think I’m going to continue on the trend of finishing series books that I have currently going. Not only will this help by reading the next book in a series, this will also help me knock a book off my TBR. I recently enough re-read Renegades, so I feel like the story is still pretty fresh in my mind, so I should be able to just pick this book up and fall right back in to the story. This is a long one too but I hope that I can finish is quickly!

 

 

What are you reading this week?

Stacking The Shelves

Stacking The Shelves {28}

Now I know, this is really scary adding this feature every week. BUT I only bought 2 new books this week, but I got some new arcs, so I figured I would talk about them all here!

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The Wicked King by Holly Black
Two Can Keep A Secret by Karen M. McManus

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No Place Like Here by Christina June
Pretty In Punxsutawney by Laurie Boyle Crompton

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We Were Beautiful by Heather Hepler
Lovestruck by Kate Watson

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Comics Will Break Your Heart by Faith Erin Hicks
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Man all these arcs are so beautiful. I cannot wait to read them and let you know about them before they come out!

Shelf Control

Shelf Control {3}

Finally, bringing this back! I am so excited to work on this, so I can work on thinning out my TBR even more this year. This feature was created by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies. The main goal of this feature is to talk about books you want to read that are already out there, instead of books that haven’t come around yet. I’m going to stick with books that I either physically own or that are on my Kindle. So let’s get to this week’s book!

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The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Published: 2006

Length: 552 pages

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.

By her brother’s graveside, Liesel’s life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger’s Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor’s wife’s library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel’s foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel’s world is both opened up, and closed down.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

How and When I got it

So I’m pretty sure that I added this book a super long time ago when I checked it out from the library. But then sometime last summer my mom bought me the 10 year anniversary edition and it’s so beautiful.

Why I Want To Read It

Books and Germany and WWII. Sign me up. Honestly though it’s about so many things that I’m interested, it’s super weird that I haven’t read this one yet?

Top 5 Wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday – Hyped 2019 Releases You Don’t Care About

Alright guys, the week is half over, and we’re about to get super shadey. So it’s always super exciting to talk about books that are coming that you actually care about, but what about the ones you don’t care about. I don’t want to go in to too much detail about why I’m not interested, so I’ll just list them with their info, and let you decide for yourself if you’re hyped or not!

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The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
January 15th

Paris, 1889: The world is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. In this city, no one keeps tabs on secrets better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier, Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. But when the all-powerful society, the Order of Babel, seeks him out for help, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.

To find the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin will need help from a band of experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian who can’t yet go home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in all but blood, who might care too much.

Together, they’ll have to use their wits and knowledge to hunt the artifact through the dark and glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the world, but only if they can stay alive.

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Superman Dawnbreaker by Matt De La Pena
March 5th

When the dawn breaks, a hero rises.

His power is beyond imagining.

Clark Kent has always been faster, stronger–better–than everyone around him. But he wasn’t raised to show off, and drawing attention to himself could be dangerous. Plus, it’s not like he’s earned his powers . . . yet.

But power comes with a price.

Lately it’s difficult to hold back and keep his heroics in the shadows. When Clark follows the sound of a girl crying, he comes across Gloria Alvarez and discovers a dark secret lurking in Smallville. Turns out, Clark’s not the only one hiding something. Teaming up with his best friend, Lana Lang, he throws himself into the pursuit of the truth. What evil lies below the surface of his small town? And what will it cost Clark to learn about his past as he steps into the light to become the future Man of Steel? Because before he can save the world, he must save Smallville.

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Romanov by Nadine Brandes
May 7th

The history books say I died.

They don’t know the half of it.

Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov was given a single mission: to smuggle an ancient spell into her suitcase on her way to exile in Siberia. It might be her family’s only salvation. But the leader of the Bolshevik army is after them . . . and he’s hunted Romanov before.

Nastya’s only chances of survival are to either release the spell, and deal with the consequences, or enlist help from Zash, the handsome soldier who doesn’t act like the average Bolshevik. Nastya’s never dabbled in magic before, but it doesn’t frighten her as much as her growing attraction for Zash. She likes him. She thinks he might even like her . . .

That is, until she’s on one side of a firing squad . . . and he’s on the other.

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Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
November 19th

Welcome to Edwardian London, a time of electric lights and long shadows, the celebration of artistic beauty and the wild pursuit of pleasure, with demons waiting in the dark. For years there has been peace in the Shadowhunter world. James and Lucie Herondale, children of the famous Will and Tessa, have grown up in an idyll with their loving friends and family, listening to stories of good defeating evil and love conquering all. But everything changes when the Blackthorn and Carstairs families come to London… and so does a remorseless and inescapable plague.

James Herondale longs for a great love, and thinks he has found it in the beautiful, mysterious Grace Blackthorn. Cordelia Carstairs is desperate to become a hero, save her family from ruin, and keep her secret love for James hidden. When disaster strikes the Shadowhunters, James, Cordelia and their friends are plunged into a wild adventure which will reveal dark and incredible powers, and the true cruel price of being a hero… and falling in love.

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Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
April 2nd

Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, but when her beloved father is murdered, she’s thrust into power, suddenly the queen of an unstable kingdom. Determined to find her father’s killer, Hesina does something desperate: she engages the aid of a soothsayer—a treasonous act, punishable by death… because in Yan, magic was outlawed centuries ago.

Using the information illicitly provided by the sooth, and uncertain if she can trust even her family, Hesina turns to Akira—a brilliant and alluring investigator who’s also a convicted criminal with secrets of his own. With the future of her kingdom at stake, can Hesina find justice for her father? Or will the cost be too high?

In this shimmering Chinese-inspired fantasy, debut author Joan He introduces a determined and vulnerable young heroine struggling to do right in a world brimming with deception.

Review

Review: The Brightsiders by Jen Wilde

35901105The Brightsides by Jen Wilde
Publication Date: 
May 22nd 2018
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Genre|Subject: Young Adult|Contemporary
Pages: 297
Rating: ★★★★✩

As a rock star drummer in the hit band The Brightsiders, Emmy King’s life should be perfect. But there’s nothing the paparazzi love more than watching a celebrity crash and burn. When a night of partying lands Emmy in hospital and her girlfriend in jail, she’s branded the latest tabloid train wreck.

Luckily, Emmy has her friends and bandmates, including the super-swoonworthy Alfie, to help her pick up the pieces of her life. She knows hooking up with a band member is exactly the kind of trouble she should be avoiding, and yet Emmy and Alfie Just. Keep. Kissing.

Will the inevitable fallout turn her into a clickbait scandal (again)? Or will she find the strength to stand on her own?

The Brightsiders follows our main character Emmy, just as her life as a rockstar is starting to hit the rocks. It all starts when a night of underage drinking and Emmy’s girlfriend driving and causing an accident, which lands Emmy not only in the hospital, but all over the media. She’s branded as a bad influence to teens and on the downward slope of her early celebrity career.

Through the novel we follow Emmy as she comes to terms with a toxic relationship, Battles alcoholism, declares her sexuality, and eventually falls for her best friend, and fellow band mate Alfie. I have to admit I was beyond impressed and proud of the LGBTQ+ representation in this book. Jen Wilde gave us Bisexual, Gay, Gender Queer, Non Binary, Lesbian, and all in such an amazing fashion. The writing I feel was super respectful of each person, and seeing the proper pronouns used every time was excellent.

Probably the only issue that I have with this book is the convenience of the terrible parents. When Emmy moves back in with just months before her 18th birthday we’re introduced to what kind of people they truly are, and while I do believe the characters that they were made to be would do such things in the book, I just feel that when these events happened, they were too conveniently timed and didn’t so much as belong in the story.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The love story was beyond adorable, and quiet the roller coaster. I do have to say, I was worried for Emmy and Alfie there for a little, but the ending was pretty nice. If you’re looking for another book with great LGBTQ+ representation I would definitely suggest picking up The Brightsiders by Jen Wilde

What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

First Monday of the year, so for What Are You Reading for 2019. How many books have you completed so far? I’m at TWO already, which is super exciting, but Goodreads says I’m behind, I gotta kick it all in to gear to make sure I stay on track this year. So let’s talk about my current reads!

What did you read last?

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I finished one of my ARCs from last year!! I’m so super proud that I finished this. Yes this book is out already, but hey I still read it finally. I have to say that Queens of Geek had me super hyped up for this book I’m not going to lie. While I did enjoy this book a ton, I do feel like some things either were just way too convenient for the plot or they had to purpose of happening at all except to cause some drama. I just didn’t understand those parts. But all in all it was super freaking adorable and the amount of rep that is in this book. Holy cow let me tell you. I think it is so awesome! I would definitely recommend for a fun read.

What Are You Currently Reading?

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First book from my actual TBR. I also think that this is super exciting because I’ll be finishing a series. That like never happens for me. Of course I did just pick this up so I’m not too sure how I feel yet, but I’m happy to be reading it that’s for sure! Also, I kind of don’t remember too much from the last book, so I guess I’m just gonna have to like wing it for right now. I guess we will see how this goes! Fingers crossed for it turning out to be good!!

 

 

What Do You Plan On Reading Next?

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To be completely honest, this is just going to be a reread because I need to remember everything that happened before I read Wicked King. I know neither of these books were listed on my TBR but I have preordered The Wicked King with one of my Christmas gift cards, and according to Amazon it should be here tomorrow on release day. Since I did preorder this I am praying that The Wicked King is NOT in the Owlcrate this month because lord knows I need to stop rebuying books that I get in my subscription boxes. I can’t wait to dive back in to this world and see what happens in the next one as well!

I’ll see you all tomorrow with a new post!

Uncategorized

Post Christmas Stacking The Shelves

Hello Everyone! So for Christmas I was able to get a LOT of giftcards, and then of course, once I was at Barnes and Noble I wasn’t able to tell myself no when I was picking out books. I also have a couple I got from Amazon that I’ll be throwing in too. So I figured I would share them with you, as this is kind of a last of my 2018 book hauls! Let’s get in to the books.

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The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee
The Cursed Sea by Lauren Destefano
Dear Heartbreak Anthology

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We Regret To Inform You by Ariel Kaplan
Love A La Mode by Stephanie Kate Strohm
Letting Go Of Gravity my Meg Leder

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My Almost Flawless Tokyo Dream Life by Rachel Cohn
Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Crimes of Grindelwald Original Screenplay

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What You Hide by Natalie Richards
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory
My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren

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Death Note Black Edition Vol 1
Death Note Black Edition Vol 2

So many good books I picked up last month! I cannot wait to get to them, plan to see them in upcoming TBRs!

Uncategorized

2019 Reading & Life Goals

Hello Everyone! So with the new year here I decided that I wanted to take the time to write out some goals for myself. Most of these are reading goals but I figured, what a better time than the present to make some life goals too. Of course these are completely random but if I write them down then maybe I would be more likely to stick to them. So let me tell you my goals!

READING GOALS

  • Read 200 books
  • Bring back my Blog (well hello future self, we’re doing good so far!)
  • TBR Jar – pick one book and read it at a time
  • 1 Kindle book read a month
  • Read 5 of my longest owned books

FINISH 5 SERIES

  • House of Night (9 books)
  • Percy Jackson (2 books)
  • Mortal Instruments (5 books)
  • Shadow & Bone (2 books)
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses (2 books)

START 5 SERIES

  • Throne of Glass (7 books)
  • A Darker Shade of Magic (3 books)
  • Caster Chronicles (4 books)
  • The Darkest Minds (4 books)
  • Six of Crows (2 books)

BLOG GOALS

  • Post Consistently (pretty self explanatory)
  • Do writing on Sundays and give self day off from posts

CHANNEL GOALS

  • Record books weekly
  • Upload more

INSTAGRAM GOALS

  • Post all read books to Highlight of 2019 reads

PERSONAL GOALS

  • Lose 50+ pounds
  • Learn Korean
  • Go to Kcon New York

So there we go, I have everything written out so I can hold myself accountable for it all. I really hope to work on a lot of these. What are some of your goals for the year? See you next time!

Uncategorized

Anticipated January Releases

Hello Everyone. Welcome back for a new post. I’ve decided to break down the post that I did last year in to monthly posts. So today I’m going to be going over the books that I’m excited about being released this month. Some of these I need to read the first in a series before reading them, but I still am excited about them. So let’s just get in to the books.

January 8th

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The Wicked King by Holly Black
In An Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire
Undying by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

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Match Me If You Can by Tiana Smith
Two Can Keep A Secret by Karen M. McManus

January 15th

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96 Words For Love by Rachel Roy and Ava Dash

January 22nd

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The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson

January 29th

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King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
The Lonely Dead by April Henry

Quite a bit of good stuff coming out this month, so I can’t promise I won’t ruin some of my TBR plans for these, but I am super excited to get to a lot of them. What are you excited to read about this month?